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Home>Service> Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award> 17th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2014> Carlos Vargas, Guatemala—Mentor to the Poor
[Overcome paralysis and fight against poverty]

When you get out of poverty, never forget about the poor, and never say no to the people who need your help!
—Carlos Vargas
 
From CEO to paralysis
Carlos Vargas is the founder of the first social welfare institution in Guatemala. In 1972 when he was 20, he brought all he had with him-- 10 US dollars and waved goodbye to his parents and five siblings, who only had one meal a day. He traveled to the US alone, hoping to change the fate of living in poverty. After 15 years of hard work, Carlos became the CEO of an American enterprise and a father. When his career was thriving, he came down with an unknown disease and his whole body was paralyzed. His wife Cheryl Peterson then decided they return to his homeland with their five children.
 
Finding hope in the homeland
After returning to his homeland, Guatemala, besides rehabilitation, what Carlos did every day was giving, and praying all the time. He remembered his mother’s word, “Giving is always better than receiving. When you get out of poverty and recover from illness, still you should never forget about the poor.” Every day, Carlos’s family members moved his wheelchair on every street and into the slums of Guatemala City, and he never stopped giving. Carlos said to himself that as long as the poor could help him stand, he would definitely help the poor to stand. As time went by, the poor became the best doctor for Carlos, and he brought strength and hope to the poor at the same time. After a thousand days of rehabilitation and giving, with faith and love, Carlos Vargas overcame paralysis and stood up miraculously. 
 
Founding the first social welfare institution in Guatemala
Guatemala has been the birthplace of the Maya civilization, and a cultural center in South America in ancient times. However, hundred years of civil wars have sabotaged the economy of the country. Poverty has struck the people hard. The GNI per capita of Guatemala is only 5,069 US dollars, ranking 117th in the world.

After overcoming paralysis in 1988, Carlos founded the first social welfare institution in Guatemala, El Eden, as he has promised to God. The institution saved many homeless seniors injured during the civil war and provided a safe place for them to rest in peace. He later founded another social institution which adopted disadvantaged children and provided them with free education, hoping to transform their lives with the influence of education. The institution also helped the poor children to foster professional skills, so that they would be able to raise their families when they grew up. Carlos also founded several kindergartens, elementary schools, and vocational schools in Guatemala. He believed that education could change one’s fate, professional skills could let a person get out of poverty, and love can make changes.  

To break the vicious circle of being poverty-stricken and getting sick, Carlos Vargas made up his mind to establish the Hospital Materno Infantil San Lucas. After ten years of efforts, the first floor to the third floor of the hospital has been completed, while the other three floors were still under construction. The hospital was the first one to save millions of women and children, and the first one to provide treatment to the malnourished in Guatemala. The hospital has become a refuge for the poor as well as the disadvantaged. 
 
The fishing pole of love
Carlos has been helping the poor in many different ways. He gave fish and fishing poles to the poor, and established five artificial lakes for them. Fish were a good source of protein and could benefit the poor greatly. He also planted organic vegetables around the lake and produced them in a large amount. With the help of Carlos, the poor became able to feed themselves. The vegetables could also be sold to the market and add to the resources that could be used to establish new social welfare institutions. 

Carlos also devoted himself to raising the living standard in the slums. He made clean water and electricity available to the poor, and also improved the sanitation. With the cooperation of local residents, Carlos constructed 3,000 environmental-friendly houses using green materials and 5,000 artesian wells, giving more than 800 thousand people clean water to use and a safer place to live. The mortality rate of poor children has seen a sharp decrease since then. Carlos’s efforts have brought health, love, and hope to the poor.
 
A real social entrepreneur
Carlos Vargas is a caring social entrepreneur. He overcomes paralysis with his strong will and helps the poor in new and innovative ways. He will always give a helping hand to those who are in need, and bring them love and hope.